Therapy

[Plasibeau]

I'm sure this has been covered before but I couldn't find the thread. I've just started seeing a therapist but she admitdly is not a specialist in gender issues. I'm wondering of this makes a difference in the long run? So far we've only focused onbackground emotional stuff and I would like to know if this is par for the course? Also, what can I expect from this process? My end goal is to begin hrt and begin the ground work for transistioning. But am I just spinning my wheels if I'm not actualy seeing a Gender Therapist?

Thanks,
Alyson

[crystalann]

Hello, I was seeing a therapist weekly for just over 8 months and she was not a gender specialist in the first few months I feel I was getting something out of it. But she did not know how to handle my gender issues, as in I should transition she just looked at me? I ended up dropping her and moved on to someone that has been dealing with transgender people for years after 45 mins she said you should start transition that became my first letter. My next therapist went the same way, my second letter. So I got so much more out of a therapist with a background in gender issues. Best of luck

[luvSophia]

I don't think you are entirely spinning your wheels, but at some point you will have to find a therapist who can help you deal with your gender issues. In the initial stages of therapy whoever you are working with is going to have to satisfy themselves, and you, that there aren't other underlying conditions also causing problems. And if there are, those need to be addressed also.

Just my personal thought on the topic, but I would not want to spend a lot of time with a therapist who wasn't going to ultimately be able to help in my transition. It is not necessarily "wasted" time, but you'll be covering ground you have to go over again to some extent with a new counselor.

[CharleneT]

Well, depends on the therapist. Someone not trained specifically in gender issues may still be able to help you in every way you need - just as a gender specialist may not be a good therapist. If it is helping you and progress is being made, you're comfortable with the person etc... I'd stick with her/him.

[Sharon]

My therapist had no experience with transgenderism before I began seeing her. But she spent so much of her time educating herself about it and talking with other therapists who had experience that she was a great deal of help to me. Besides, most of my difficulties back then weren't directly related to my difficulties dealing with my transsexuality, though there was certainly a cause and effect relationship.

[StaceyJane]

Someone who is a good therapist can help you in many ways. The problem is that if the person is not an experienced gender therapist you may have to educate your therapist on a lot of things.

[Karen564]

Ideally, you need a therapist that specializes in GID, since they know the protocols of the whole process, and it will make things easier on you that way vs. dealing with a therapist with no experience on these matters..
So my advise to you is drop the one your seeing & find one that's experienced in gender issues..

Here's a link to find one near you,,,,,http://www.drbecky.com/therapists02.html


:hugs:

[Rayne1]

I could not find a gender therapist in my area and so I tried the chat line therapist. etherapy@gmail.com Dr. graham Peveleer. I went through all the steps he required and received my letters for hormones, going dressed into a women's public restroom, SRS, and help in contacting surgeon for operation, and letter for court to aid in name change.
If you do not feel you are getting anywhere with the current therapist you might wish to try him. $100. 00 for four sessions of one hour of online chats each month.

[Mariah]

I don't go to a "gender" theripiest but, she is heavy in teh LGB theripy. so she know something, the "rules" n stuf. any therpiest will work, pick on that at least knows lgb-t and deals with them. the only complate I ahve is a genral theripest will take longer (2 years for me to go on hrt).

best start with on for the help and if you need to move on to a "gender" theripest when you think your ready.

Mariah

[Kimberly Marie Kelly]

I went to my therapist who was a well known gender therapist in this area of PA. I went to my first session dressed as Kimberly and I was so comfortable with her, We talked family history etc and by the end of the first session she basically told me I was comfortable with being me and that she'd have no problem recommending HRT for me. Been seeing her for about 8 month's now, on hormones for 5 months and things are going well for me. I'm transitioning at work and will have legal name change in 4 weeks. I good gender therapist is most helpful to your journey. If the one you have is not well versed with GID or gender issues don't be afraid to ask for a reference to someone who is.. Kimberly :battingeyelashes:

[Jessinthesprings]

So I had a therapist who had only worked with a transgender person once before. I did have to educate her, but in a way I enjoyed it. She was also willing to do some research on her own. I also feel that many of the issues we deal with is something that anyone can have. The cause is just unique. I suggest you only continue if you feel you are being helped, and I know you can be. I found my experiance rewarding and was recived what I came for which were the HRT letters.

Oh... there are a scarce few trans trained therapists out there and you could be helping other transgendered individuals by providing another therapist in your area. That is in a perfect world of course, but it is a possibility.

[Plasibeau]

Thank you all for the good advice, I'm going to see her today and I think I'll bring some of these things up.